Photo credit: Damien Taylor
What is your husband’s name?
My name husband is Pastor Ra’Shin T. Akins.
What church do you preside at as the first lady?
Triumphal Living Church located at 1243 College Park Road, Dover, Delaware, 19904
How many years have you had that title?
I’m in my third year of serving as a first lady.
Do you preach along with your husband?
Yes, absolutely. We are a new ministry, so I preach the last Sunday of each month or in my husband’s stead if he’s unavailable for any reason.
Does it seem like you are a pastor along with him?
Yes. In fact, I do. I love serving our church and community alongside him, we work well together! My primary position is to assist him, of course, but together we are a powerful team!
What does it mean to be the first lady to you?
Being the first lady means being an example, a nurturer, setting the standard in the house of God by your actions and lifestyle, offering of yourself and sustenance, without looking for anything in return. It will help keep your spirit right!
What is the most challenging part of being a first lady?
The most challenging part as a first lady/spiritual mother, is to watch someone reject wise counsel and go down a path they have been warned of. Thus, they are learning obedience through their suffering. It’s even more challenging when you really want to help but the Lord has constrained you to only pray.
What is the best part of being the first lady?
When God’s people grow and go! It blesses me to see someone who were once shy and timid, flourish in their God-given purpose!
Did you ever think you would become who you are today?
Not at all! I wasn’t raised in church so, being the first lady of one was nowhere on my radar.
How do you balance church and home life?
Prayer and a punching bag — to relieve stress! [Laughs.]
My family is my priority. My first ministry! Not only am I a wife, I’m a mother of six and being able to balance my family alone can be a handful. But I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world! I have found being flexible suits my family and ministry best. There is no cookie-cutter way to balance them both, one tends to be more demanding than the other from time to time. So, we access what is happening then adapt as needed.
What is your advice to future first ladies or those who already are in the capacity of a first lady?
Ah, advice … I’m still trying to figure all this out! Being a new first lady, I would say — give yourself a fair chance. Too often we can make it hard on ourselves trying to live up to the hype- be yourself! Secondly, do not be easily offended, you will not and neither should you try to win them all! Lastly, enjoy the journey! Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
